ORLANDO, Fla.After enduring the wrath of four devastating
hurricanes that wreaked catastrophic damage to the state's tomato crop,
Florida tomatoes are back. And, they are getting close to normal volumes
now, according to shipment data from the Florida Tomato Committee, a tomato
marketing organization, which reported shipments last week at 75 percent
of what they are for the week, historically. It was only two weeks ago
that tomato growers in Florida were packing 35 percent of what is typical
for the season. Shipments are increasing steadily; building up to normal
volumes by the third week of December, the Committee anticipates.

"Although in Florida, we have seen yields almost
half of what they should be, the tomato quality is remarkably good and
our supplies are increasing steadily," said Reggie Brown, manager
of the Florida Tomato Committee. "We would expect prices to begin
to respond to the supply accordingly in the next two to three weeks."

This is good news for supermarket shoppers, 80 percent
of whom purchase tomatoes several times a month, with 42 percent of consumers
purchasing tomatoes on a weekly basis. With an annual average national
contribution of more than 7.5 percent to total produce department dollar
sales, the tomato category packs a powerful punch for the produce department.

According to Fresh Facts supermarket scanner data from
the Perishables Group, the national average retail price per pound for
round field tomatoes is normally about $2 in the produce department.

The damage to Florida's tomato crop, along with unseasonably
wet weather in Mexico, has made for a very unique situation in the U.S.
To date this season (as of November 28), Florida tomato growers have packed
about 50 percent of the total packed last year during same time period.

"With this unusual weather phenomenon, we have truly
seen trying times here in Florida - the likes of which we hope not ever
see again," offered Brown, adding, "We certainly appreciate
the support of our customers as we pick ourselves up from the aftermath
of these devastating hurricanes."

With almost every southern county in the state cultivating
tomatoes, Florida produces virtually all the fresh-market, field-grown
tomatoes in the U.S. from October through June each year, and accounts
for about 50 percent of all fresh tomatoes produced domestically.